Power

Gingerbread cookies

I heard the alarm ringing through my dream, the muffled sound getting louder as I woke up. I blinked a few times, turned the alarm off and yawned. God, it was 5am and I really didn't want to get out of bed, but I had to catch my flight to London.

I got up and rubbed my eyes. My legs were weak and I was so sleepy my eyes felt like they were filled with sand. I opened the curtains and I was suddenly out of breath.

It was snowing. A thick layer of white covered the rooftops and trees, the road was icy and the snow sparkled under the blurry street lights.

Normally, I would've been thrilled. It was the first snow! But now another thought entered my mind. I opened the airport's website and sighed. My flight got cancelled because of the snow storm.

Now that I looked outside, it was snowing pretty hard. I felt the disappointment like a rock in my stomach. I had waited so long to see my parents, I missed them so much. A small tear rolled from the corner of my eye as I texted my mum.

me: *screenshot of flight information*

My mum answered way faster than I expected. It was 5 in the morning, what was she doing up?

mum: I can't believe this...

She called me and told me that we will see each other once the storm clears. That she will find another flight and I didn't have to be disappointed. But I still was.

                                                                                                   ****

For the first time, I didn't even bother to put on an outfit. I just went downstairs in my pyjamas, turned on the lights in the living room, sat on the couch and stared blankly at the snow.

It felt weird being alone in the Avengers living room when it was still dark outside. It was awfully quiet. 

I went to the coffee machine and poured myself a cup. I held it in my hands, watching the steam leaving the mug, feeling both numb and sad.

I sipped my coffee quietly, while staring out the window.

Minutes passed by, maybe an hour.

"Morning" I heard a voice and startled, almost dropping the mug. 

I turned towards the door. It was Cap.

"Morning" I mumbled.

"Shouldn't you be heading to the airport by now?" he asked.

My eyes went watery.

"Um...yeah, that's over. The flight was cancelled because of the snow" I said.

"I'm sorry. Guess you're spending Christmas with us" he replied, pouring himself some coffee and not commenting about the fact that I was drinking some, too. 

"Guess so. Why are you up so early?" I asked.

"Training. I like to wake up at 4am",

"Wow, you got issues" I tried to joke.

He sat on the couch next to me and grabbed his newspaper.

"I know you miss your family, but there's nothing you can do about this now. At least try to enjoy the snow and celebrate Christmas".

I sighed.

"I don't know...maybe I should just go to bed and sleep for an entire week" I replied in a depressed voice.

He pressed his lips together and crossed his arms.

"Once the others are up, we'll get the tree from the basement and decorate it. Wanda will probably make gingerbread, she does that every year, and we will sing Christmas carols. It's probably not as good as what you had back home, but we are happy to have you here and we'll show you a Christmas worthy of the Avengers." 

I smiled.

"Thanks, Cap".

                                                                                           ****

The speaker plays "The Christmas song".

mom: I got you a flight for the 27th !!

me: Yaayy!! I wish we spent Christmas together but we can celebrate a late one😄

"...Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.."

I smiled.

"Jack Frost nipping at your nose..." we all sang.

Wanda was mixing the gingerbread dough, while I was flouring the counter. Pietro zoomed over and tasted the mixture, while Wanda gave him a disapproving look.

"It's good" he mumbled with his mouth full.

Tony was wearing a Santa hat and drinking coffee, Steve was looking out the window at the snow and talking to Bucky. Nat joined us in singing carols. Loki was his usual gloomy self.

"It is good" I said, licking the spoon.

Wanda smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Help me roll the dough."

I pushed down the rolling pin, in a way I thought was gentle, but it created a loud bang and smushed down the dough ball.

"Oops! Sorry!" I said, handing her the rolling pin.

"That's fine. Grab the cookie cutters from the cupboard".

We spent all evening cutting and baking cookies. I went to sleep peacefully, the whole tower smelling like cinnamon and ginger and happiness.